They were there at the World Trade Center on that fateful September day. They were also there during the aftermath of the Katrina hurricane on the gulf coast. More recently they deployed to aid victims of the North Texas and the Greensburg Kansas floods. The shooting at Virginia Tech also witnessed their nurturing presence.

They are members of Victim's Relief Ministries (VRM) and they are chaplains to victims of disaster, crime and domestic turbulence. They provide physical, emotional and spiritual support in times of stress, need and beyond. Through local chapters throughout the country they make themselves available to law enforcement, fire districts and volunteer organizations responding to disaster and emergencies. The ingredient that they add which often is not found is a deep and abiding understanding for the need for spiritual support.

We first met representatives of Victim's Relief Ministries at the White House and Governors' Conference on Faith Based Initiatives. At this time they are actively recruiting members to serve as Chaplains in the Phoenix area and Southern Arizona. VRM is conducting a two day training session in Phoenix on the 12th and 13th of October in the Arizona Republic building in Phoenix. For additional information please contact Dave Estil at 480-248-0643 or Brian Dailey at 480-241-9916. Visit their web site at www.victimrelief.org.

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